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Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper July 2017 Page 3
Solar Energy Saved Emmitsburg $72,000 Last Year
James Rada, Jr.
While the cost of solar energy So, the total amount that the town
from Emmitsburg’s two solar farms paid for its power last year was
cost more than power purchased Town of Emmitsburg Energy Costs for FY2016 $202,100.
from First Energy, the cost of using With and Without Solar Power To get an estimate of what
solar is so much less that it created a the town would have paid for its
savings of $72,000 for the Town of Total Usage: 1,657,216 kWh power if it had been entirely drawn
Emmitsburg last year. from First Energy, the total usage
Questions have been raised in was multiplied by the prevailing
town meetings and in print as to Without Solar With Solar rate. This changed multiple times
whether switching much of the (.06481 cents/kWh) (.08092 cents/kWh) throughout the year, so an average
town’s power consumption to cost of .06481 cents/kWh was used.
solar energy was worth it. Much Power Cost $107,400 $134,100 Using this rate, the energy cost
of this seems based on the fact that last year was $107,400 (rounded).
a kilowatt hour of solar energy Taxes & Surcharges $167,300 $68,000 This is $26,700 less than it cost for
costs around .08092 cents, while Total $274,700 $202,100 solar.
only costing the town around Savings $72,600 The taxes and surcharges on
.06481 cents from First Energy. that amount of power purchased
This is true. The actual cost of solar from First Energy would have been
power is more, although the actual $167,300 (rounded) or $99,300
difference varies as the cost of power more than the town paid for solar.
purchased from First Energy changes The bottom line is: Without
multiple times in a year. on First Energy’s bills alone. When Sales Tax, and Electric Universal using solar energy, the town would
However, as Town Accountant Emmitsburg switched to using Service Fee. have paid $274,700 for its power
Cole Tabler points out in an analysis solar energy for its power needs, In FY2016—from July 1, 2015, last year, compared to what it
of the town’s energy costs, “[T]he six taxes and surcharges were to June 30, 2016—the Town of actually paid ($202,100).
true savings from solar are in the eliminated from their bills. These Emmitsburg consumed 1,657,216 By converting to solar power, the
consumption charges that are greatly are the: Administrative Credit, kWh among its twenty accounts. town saved $72,600.
reduced or eliminated.” Cogeneration PURPA Surcharge, This usage includes the higher Looked at in a different way,
This conclusion is based on an Franchise Tax, EmPower MD consumption of the town’s new the town would have had to been
examination of the town’s actual Surcharge, Demand Resource wastewater treatment plant. paying .02099 cents/kWh or less for
energy bills. The costs without Surcharge, and MD Environmental The cost of power (including switching to solar power to have
solar power are estimated based Surcharge. Also, three other charges solar) for FY2016 was $134,100 been a loss.
and taxes are minimized because the (rounded to the nearest $100).
Marie’s power being purchased from First In addition, the extra taxes and
surcharges on the power bills
Energy is minimized. These are the:
Beauty Salon Distribution Surcharge, Maryland amounted to $68,000 (rounded).
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